Question 4: A weather briefing that is provided when the information requested is 6 or more hours in advance of the proposed departure time is Answer

Question 5: What should pilots state initially when telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information? Answer

Question 6: What should pilots state initially when telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information? Answer

Question 7: When telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information, pilots should state Answer

Question 8: When telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information, pilots should state Answer

Question 9: To update a previous weather briefing, a pilot should request Answer

Question 10: When requesting weather information for the following morning, a pilot should request Answer

14.2 Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)

Aviation routine weather reports (METARs) are actual surface weather observations at the time indicated on the report. (METARs are NOT forecasts.)

There are two types of reports.

METAR is a routine weather report.

SPECI is a nonroutine weather report.

Example METARS

Following the type of report are the elements listed below:

Type of report, METAR or SPECI.

ICAO station identifier (Four-letter station ident). US airports are identified by the three-letter domestic identifier prefixed with a "K." E.g., KLAX.

Date and time of report. It is appended with a "Z" to denote Zulu or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Modifier (if required).

Wind. Wind is reported in knots (KT) as a five-digit group . If the wind is gusty, it is reported with a "G" after the speed, followed by the highest gust reported. EXAMPLE: 17010G18KT means wind from 170° true at 10 knots, with gusts to 18 knots.

Visibility. The prevailing visibility is reported in statute miles, denoted with "SM". EXAMPLE: 1 1/2SM means visibility is one and a half statue miles.

Runway Visual Range (RVR).

Weather phenomena. "RA" is used to indicate rain.

Sky conditions. The ceiling is the lowest broken or overcast layer, or vertical visibility into an obscuration. Cloud bases are reported with three digits in hundreds of feet AGL. EXAMPLE: OVC007 means overcast cloud layer at 700 ft. AGL.

Temperature/dew point. They are reported in a two-digit form in whole degrees Celsius separated by a slash.

METAR is a routine weather observation.KAUS is Austin, TX.301651Z means the observation was taken on the 30th day at 1651 UTC (or Z).12008KT means the wind is from 120° true at 8 kt.4SM means the visibility is 4 statute miles.-RA HZ means light rain and haze.BKN010 OVC023 means ceiling 1,000 ft. broken, 2,300 ft. overcast.21/17 means the temperature is 21°C and the dew point is 17°C.A3005 means the altimeter setting is 30.05 in. of Hg.RMK RAB25 means remarks, rain began at 25 min. past the hour., i.e., 1625 UTC.

Ascent Quick Quiz

Ascent Quick Quiz - 14.2 Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)

Question 1: For aviation purposes, ceiling is defined as the height above the Earth's surface of the Answer

Question 2: (Refer to figure 12.) What are the current conditions depicted for Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW)? Answer

Question 3: (Refer to figure 12.) Which of the reporting stations have VFR weather? Answer

Question 4: (Refer to figure 12.) The wind direction and velocity at KJFK is from Answer

Question 5: (Refer to figure 12.) What are the wind conditions at Wink, Texas (KINK)? Answer

14.3 Pilot Weather Report (PIREP)

Pilots often become their own best source of weather reporting by the Pilot Reports (PIREPs) that they file with Air Traffic Control.

PIREPs, like METARs, follow a specific format when they are transmitted, below.

Example PIREP

UUA/UA Type of report: URGENT (UUA) - Any PIREP that contains any of the following weather phenomena: tornadoes, funnel clouds, or waterspouts; severe or extreme turbulence, including clear air turbulence (CAT); severe icing; hail; low-level wind shear (LLWS) (pilot reports air speed fluctuations of 10 knots or more within 2,000 feet of the surface); any other weather phenomena reported which are considered by the controller to be hazardous, or potentially hazardous, to flight operations. ROUTINE (UA) - Any PIREP that contains weather phenomena not listed above, including low-level wind shear reports with air speed fluctuations of less than 10 knots.

/OV Location: Use VHF NAVAID(s) or an airport using the three- or four-letter location identifier. Position can be over a site, at some location relative to a site, or along a route. Ex: /OV KABC; /OV KABC090025; /OV KABC045020-DEF; /OV KABC-KDEF

/TM Time: Four digits in UTC. Ex: /TM 0915

/FL Altitude/Flight level: Three digits for hundreds of feet with no space between FL and altitude. If not known, use UNKN. Ex: /FL095; /FL310; /FLUNKN

/TA Temperature (Celsius): If below zero, prefix with an "M." Temperature should also be reported if icing is reported. Ex: /TA 15; /TA M06

/WV Wind: Direction from which the wind is blowing coded in tens of degrees using three digits. Directions of less than 100 degrees shall be preceded by a zero. The wind speed shall be entered as a two- or three-digit group immediately following the direction, coded in whole knots using the hundreds, tens, and units digits. Ex: /WV 27045KT; /WV 280110KT

/TB Turbulence: Use standard contractions for intensity and type (CAT or CHOP when appropriate). Include altitude only if different from FL. Ex: /TB EXTRM; /TB OCNL LGT-MDT BLO 090; /TB MOD-SEV CHOP 080-110

Wind direction and velocity are given as a five- or six-digit code (e.g., / WV 27045 means 270° at 45 kt.).

Air temperature is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Cloud layers are reported with heights for bases, tops, and layer type if available. "No entry" means that information was not given.

EXAMPLE:

SK 024 BKN 032/042 BKN-OVC

Decoded the PIREP above identifies a broken layer of clouds between 2,400 ft. MSL to 3,200 ft. MSL. A second layer of clouds are broken to overcast starting at 4,200 ft. MSL.

Ascent Quick Quiz

Ascent Quick Quiz - 14.3 Pilot Weather Report (PIREP)

Question 1: (Refer to figure 14.) If the terrain elevation is 1,295 feet MSL, what is the height above ground level of the base of the ceiling? Answer

Question 2: (Refer to figure 14.) The base and tops of the overcast layer reported by a pilot are Answer

Question 3: (Refer to figure 14.) The wind and temperature at 12,000 feet MSL as reported by a pilot are Answer

Question 4: (Refer to figure 14.) The intensity of the turbulence reported at a specific altitude is Answer

Question 5: (Refer to figure 14.) The intensity and type of icing reported by a pilot is Answer

14.4 Area Forecast

Aviation Area Forecasts (FA) are the forecasts general weather conditions for an area consisting of several states. FAs are issued three times a day and consist of:

A 12-hr. forecast, and

A 6-hr. categorical outlook .

The FA can be used as an indicator for the general conditions at airports which have no terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs).

There are four sections in an FA:

Communication and Product Header section

Precautionary Statements section

Synopsis section

VFR Clouds/Weather section (VFR CLDS/WX); this is the "forecast" section

Included in the VFR CLDS/WX section is the 6-hr. categorical outlook. The categorical outlook is not considered a "forecast".

An example of the standardized formatting of an FA is reproduced below. (This same FA formatting will be utilized during your pilot written exam.)

To get a complete weather picture, including icing, turbulence, and IFR conditions, you must thoroughly review the current Area Forecast (FA), as well as all current In-Flight Aviation Weather Advisories. In-Flight Aviation Weather Advisories will help to determine the freezing level and areas of probable icing aloft, as well as any areas of turbulence or general IFR conditions that you should avoid along your flight.

Ascent Quick Quiz

Ascent Quick Quiz - 14.4 Area Forecast

Question 1: To best determine general forecast weather conditions over several states, the pilot should refer to Answer

Question 2: To determine the freezing level and areas of probable icing aloft, the pilot should refer to the Answer

Question 3: The section of the Area Forecast entitled "VFR CLDS/WX" contains a general description of Answer

Question 4: From which primary source should information be obtained regarding expected weather at the estimated time of arrival if your destination has no Terminal Forecast? Answer

Question 5: (Refer to figure 16.) The Chicago FA forecast section is valid until the twenty-fifth at Answer

Question 6: (Refer to figure 16.) What sky condition and visibility are forecast for upper Michigan in the eastern portions after 2300Z? Answer

Question 7: (Refer to figure 16.) What is the outlook for the southern half of Indiana after 0700Z? Answer

Question 8: (Refer to figure 16.) What sky condition and type obstructions to vision are forecast for upper Michigan in the Western portions from 0200Z until 0500Z? Answer

14.5 Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

Terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs) are weather forecasts for selected airports with operating control towers around the country.

Cumulonimbus clouds (CB) are the only cloud type forecast in TAFs as these are storm clouds and could greatly effect flight planning to that airport. Remember, a TAF is a FORECAST of expected weather conditions.

Example TAF

The elements of a TAF are listed below:

Type of reportTAF is a routine forecast.TAF AMD is an amended forecast.

ICAO station identifier

Date and time the forecast is actually prepared

Valid period of the forecast

Forecast meteorological conditions. This is the body of the forecast and includes the following:

Ascent Quick Quiz - 14.5 Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

Question 1: (Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF for KMEM, what does "SHRA" stand for? Answer

Question 2: (Refer to figure 15.) During the time period from 0600Z to 0800Z, what visibility is forecast for KOKC? Answer

Question 3: (Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF from KOKC, the clear sky becomes Answer

Question 4: (Refer to figure 15.) What is the valid period for the TAF for KMEM? Answer

Question 5: (Refer to figure 15.) Between 1000Z and 1200Z the visibility at KMEM is forecast to be? Answer

Question 6: (Refer to figure 15.) What is the forecast wind for KMEM from 1600Z until the end of the forecast? Answer

Question 7: (Refer to figure 15.) In the TAF from KOKC, the "FM (FROM) Group" is forecast for the hours from 1600Z to 2200Z with the wind from Answer

Question 8: (Refer to figure 15.) The only cloud type forecast in TAF reports is Answer

14.6 Weather Depiction Charts

A weather depiction chart is the outline that you would get, if you collected all the METARs in the United States and used the information contained within them to create a structured graphic representation of the sky conditions based on METAR reports. The weather depiction chart is able to convey, with a relatively quick glance, a general overall picture of where the reported weather conditions are below, or marginal, or above VFR minimums. The weather depiction chart also displays recent positions of frontal systems and indicates the type of front by symbols.

Example Weather Depiction Chart

The reporting stations that provide the weather information are marked with a small circle.

The sky conditions at the station are conveyed by the degree that the circle is filled in

Question 4: (Refer to figure 18.) What is the status of the front that extends from Nebraska through the upper peninsula of Michigan? Answer

Question 5: (Refer to figure 18.) According to the Weather Depiction Chart, the weather for a flight from southern Michigan to north Indiana is ceilings Answer

Question 6: (Refer to figure 18.) The marginal weather in central Kentucky is due to low Answer

14.7 Radar Summary Charts and Radar Weather Reports

Radar Summary Charts graphically display a collection of radar reports concerning the type, intensity, and movement of precipitation like lines and cells of thunderstorms, squall lines, and other areas of hazardous precipitation. Lines and cells of hazardous thunderstorms can be easily seen on a radar summary chart.

Severe Weather Watch areas are enclosed by heavy, dashed lines.

Example Radar Summary Chart

The following symbols are used on radar summary charts.

A Radar Weather Report is a textual report of radar observations. They list information on the type, intensity, and cell movement of precipitation.

Ascent Quick Quiz - 14.8 En Route Flight Advisory Service

Question 1: How should contact be established with an En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) station, and what service would be expected? Answer

Question 2: What service should a pilot normally expect from an En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) station? Answer

Question 3: Below FL180, en route weather advisories should be obtained from an FSS on Answer

14.9 Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecasts

Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast provides a forecast of wind speeds and temperatures specific altitudes for certain locations across the US.

These forecasts are compromised of a series of digit groupings conveying wind direction with reference to true north and the wind speed in knots.

Example Winds and Temps Aloft Chart

A four-digit number is used when temperatures are not forecast.

The first two digits indicate the wind direction after a zero is added.

The next two digits indicate the wind speed.

No temperatures are forecast for the 3,000-ft. altitude, or for altitudes that are within 2,500 ft. AGL of the reporting station.

A six-digit number includes the forecast temperature aloft.

The last two digits indicate the temperature in degrees Celsius.

A plus(+) or minus(-) symbol is indicated before the temperature, except at altitudes above 24,000 ft. MSL (where it is always below freezing - brrrr!).

When the wind speed is less than 5 kt., the forecast is coded 9900, which means that the wind is light and variable.

When the wind speed is over 100 kt., 50 gets added to the direction component and 100 is subtracted from the speed. So, to decode this sequence, you simply have to reverse the process: subtract 50 from the direction component, and add 100 to the speed.

A Radar Weather Report is a graphical depiction weather radar observations. They provide information of lines and cells of hazardous thunderstorms, including location, type, intensity, and cell movement of precipitation.

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